Petzl Bindi vs Nitecore NU25 UL: Headlamp Specs Compared
Take the Nitecore NU25 UL if you will walk in the dark, and the Petzl Bindi if the light is only for camp. The NU25 weighs 45 g with 400 lumens and a 650 mAh USB-C battery. The Bindi weighs 35 g with 200 lumens and a thin cord strap. Ten grams buys twice the output and a headband that stays put when you move quickly.
Nitecore NU25 UL vs Petzl Bindi: the published specs
Figures are the manufacturers' own: Nitecore for the NU25 UL (MCT version) and Petzl for the Bindi. Runtimes are measured at room temperature and fall in the cold.
| Nitecore NU25 UL | Petzl Bindi | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 45 g (1.6 oz) | 35 g (1.2 oz) |
| Maximum output | 400 lumens | 200 lumens |
| Runtime at maximum | About 2 h 45 min | About 2 h |
| Longest runtime | About 10 h 25 min at 60 lumens | Up to 50 h at 6 lumens |
| Battery | 650 mAh built in lithium ion | Built in rechargeable lithium ion |
| Charging | USB-C | Micro USB on most versions |
| Strap | Full headband | Thin cord |
| Red light | Yes | Yes |
Choose the Nitecore NU25 UL, 400 lumens, USB-C if…
Choose the NU25 if there is any chance of walking in the dark. Four hundred lumens is enough to pick a line on rough ground, the headband stays put when you move quickly, and nearly three hours at full output or ten at a trail-friendly 60 lumens is long enough to plan around. It is the more versatile light and it usually costs less. The 10 g it gives away to the Bindi is not a real argument for most people. Our Nitecore NU25 UL gear page lines it up against the other headlamps we recommend.
Check Nitecore NU25 UL, 400 lumens, USB-C on Amazon
Choose the Petzl Bindi headlamp if…
Choose the Bindi if the light is genuinely for camp only and you count grams seriously. At 35 g it is small enough to forget you are wearing, which means you actually keep it on your head rather than in a pocket. The thin cord strap is less secure when moving fast, and 200 lumens for about two hours is enough to find a tent peg and not much more. Treat it as a camp light, not a hiking light.
Check Petzl Bindi headlamp on Amazon
Related
- Rechargeable vs AAA headlamp
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- Layering temperature reference
- Base weight calculator
Sources: Nitecore NU25 UL product specifications and Petzl Bindi technical specifications (weight, output, runtime, battery). Prices are the Amazon listings when we last checked in 2026 and change often. We have not tested these lights side by side. This is researched, not professional advice. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Deciding on a specific model? We review the Nitecore NB10000 Gen II review in full.
Frequently asked questions
Nitecore or Petzl: which headlamp brand is better for backpacking?
Neither brand wins across the board, so compare the specific models. In this pair the Nitecore NU25 UL gives you twice the maximum output (400 vs 200 lumens), a 650 mAh battery and USB-C for 10 g more than the Petzl Bindi. The Bindi is the smaller, lighter camp light. For walking in the dark, the NU25 is the stronger choice.
How long does each headlamp run?
Nitecore publishes about 2 hours 45 minutes at 400 lumens and about 10 hours 25 minutes at its 60 lumen low. Petzl publishes 2 hours at 200 lumens, 3 hours at 100 lumens and up to 50 hours at its 6 lumen reserve setting. Both figures fall in cold weather, so plan on less.
How much light do you need for night hiking?
Less than the headline numbers suggest, but more than a camp light. Somewhere around 100 to 200 lumens is usually enough on a defined trail, with the ability to go brighter to pick out a line or check a marker. Beam shape and runtime matter more than peak output: a light that dies at 3am is worse than a dimmer one that lasts.
Does red light matter?
Yes, and both have it. Red preserves night vision, so you can read a map or find something in a tent without spending twenty minutes readapting. It is also far more considerate in a shared camp or a hut.
Is a rechargeable light a risk on a long trip?
It ties you to a power bank. Budget the headlamp into your charging plan and know its runtime at the setting you actually use. On trips longer than a few days without resupply, a light that takes replaceable cells removes the problem at a small weight cost.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, listed weights, and verified owner reviews across retailers. We do not test gear in person, and every weight quoted here is the manufacturer's figure unless we say otherwise, so weigh your own kit before you trust a total. Going lighter also means carrying less margin, so treat insulation, navigation, water treatment and an emergency plan as fixed costs rather than places to save grams.
Weighing your own kit item by item? The Base Weight Reduction Planner is the paid version of these pages: 11 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, two filled-in examples, a companion spreadsheet and the full PDF, $29.
